Glorious Amethyst - February Birthstone.

Amethyst has long been one of my favourite gemstones. I thought I would pay homage to it by writing a short blog all about it and featuring some stunning Amethyst items from fellow Folksters.

It is said that St Valentine himself, wore a ring featuring an Amethyst stone, carved with the image of Cupid. Amethyst would make the perfect Valentines gift!

Amethyst is often said to prevent drunkenness! It has been worn as a talisman for centuries. It has been found, set as polished cabochons, in rings from Greece circa 2500BC and has remained popular since. It has adorned Kings, Pharaohs and Religious leaders as symbols of their power and their wealth. Catholic Bishops still wear Amethyst rings as it used to be considered the gem encouraged celibacy.

The Greek God of Wine, Dyonysis is said to have become angry with the people after several large goblets of wine. He decided to take revenge on the next person he saw. A young woman, called Amethyst, was the next person to walk by him. Dionysis set two tigers on to her. She prayed to Diana the Goddess of the moon, for help. The goddess saw what was about to happen to Amethyst and turned her into a white quartz statue, so the tigers could not harm her. Dionysis was overcome with sadness at what he was about to do and cried tears of wine into his goblet. He collapsed, spilling the wine over the statue which soaked up the purple wine and created the gemstone Amethyst that we all know and love today.

The gemstone itself gets its colour from iron. It ranges from the palest lilac to deep purple in colour. Amethyst is mined all over the world. Superb specimens from Siberia command the highest prices. The main areas of mining today are in Brazil, but Amethyst is also mined in Africa, Madagascar, Uruguay and Australia.

It is such a gorgeous member of the quartz family. Please take a moment to have a little look through the pictures below to see hand made items featuring Amethyst. Please click on the photos to be taken to the item in the sellers shops.





Here are a few items from my shop, that feature Amethyst....




Thanks so much for taking the time to have a little look at my blog.

Love Jacqueline x